How an Amazon Internship Opened Nastasia’s Door to Tech Sales
For Nastasia Cheng, her SIM–University of London Bachelor of Science (Honours) in International Relations degree provided a strong foundation for an unexpected career in tech sales. The skills she developed at SIM — from understanding different perspectives to communicating with diverse stakeholders — helped her navigate the demands of a fast-paced industry.
During her six-month internship as a Demand Generation Representative Intern at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Nastasia built technical expertise, strengthened her stakeholder management skills and gained valuable real-world experience. Her commitment to work-integrated learning was later recognised through the SIM Work-Integrated Learning for Life (WILL) Award, a programme under the SIM Impact Fund.
Be inspired by her sharing below.
Q: What inspired you to apply for this internship?
A: I was drawn to a sales role because it offered a direct way to create value for businesses by contributing to revenue growth. Sales also suited my personality: I enjoy speaking with different people, building relationships, and working towards clear outcomes.
I was especially interested in the tech industry because it moves quickly, particularly with developments in AI. Amazon stood out to me as an ideal place to begin because of its scale, high standards and strong reputation for innovation. I saw the internship as an opportunity to build a solid foundation in sales while learning from one of the world's leading companies in tech.
Q: What do you think made you stand out and help secure this internship opportunity?
A: I believe my resilience and discernment made a difference. During one of the interview processes, I went through what Amazon calls the 'Loop' interview where I had to speak with several people and consistently demonstrate why I was suitable for the role.
While it was demanding, I demonstrated that I was able to handle a rigorous process, learn from each stage, and highlight the parts of my experience that were most relevant to the team.
At the same time, my past experiences had exposed me to different environments and responsibilities which showed that I could adapt quickly and manage a range of stakeholders effectively.
Learning and Growth on the Job
Q: How did your studies at SIM prepare you for the challenges of your internship?
A: Many of my modules encouraged us to question assumptions, consider different viewpoints, and support our conclusions with evidence.
During my internship, this was useful when engaging prospects and internal stakeholders who had different priorities, communication styles, and expectations. Instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I considered what mattered most to each person, whether it was business outcomes, technical concerns, cost, or ease of implementation.
Q: What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
A: One of my main challenges was building technical knowledge quickly. My major was in International Relations, which is a general degree. However, I needed to quickly understand a wide range of products, services, and cloud concepts in order to have meaningful conversations with customers and colleagues.
At first, the learning curve felt overwhelming. I addressed it by setting aside time after work each evening to study and strengthen my understanding of the fundamentals. Attaining the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification also gave me a stronger foundation, increased my confidence in customer conversations, and helped build trust with stakeholders I supported.
Q: How do you think your internship helped you grow in these areas?
A: Head (knowledge and thinking skills): The internship strengthened my understanding of cloud technology, customer needs, and the tech sales process. It also spurred me to think more strategically by analysing different customer situations and tailoring my communication according to each stakeholder’s priorities.
Heart (values, attitudes, and self-awareness): The experience helped me develop greater resilience, ownership and confidence. I learnt to stay open to feedback, remain persistent when facing setbacks or unfamiliar challenges, and take responsibility for my own learning and performance.
Hands (practical, applied skills): I developed stronger skills in lead qualification (a crucial process that determines the potential value and suitability of a prospective customer or lead), discovery conversations (structured, qualitative discussion to improve services or care), stakeholder engagement and communicating value to different target audience. I also gained real-world experience using sales tools and creating internal resources that supported the wider sales team.
Recognition and Advice
Q: What was the most meaningful moment during your internship?
A: During the year-end celebration, everyone on the team received a plaque featuring the Amazon Leadership Principle that their manager felt best reflected their contributions. My manager chose ‘Ownership’ for me, which meant a great deal to me. At Amazon, Leadership Principles are core values that guide the company’s decisions, day-to-day work, and hiring decisions. ‘Ownership’ signifies thinking long term, prioritising lasting value over short-term results and taking responsibility beyond one’s immediate role or team. I was genuinely touched that my manager recognised these qualities in me. It felt like a meaningful way to conclude an experience that had been both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Q: Were there further opportunities that arose from this internship?
A: Yes. The internship gave me rigorous, hands-on experience in tech sales, which I believe helped me stand out in the interview for my current full-time role as a Business Development Representative at Flywire!
Q: What advice would you give to students who are unsure about taking up an internship?
A: Honestly, just do it. The job market is changing, and many advertised roles now seek candidates who can demonstrate both academic knowledge and relevant hands-on experience.
While school clubs and volunteering are great, an internship gives you a solid exposure in the real world. You see how a company operates, you contribute to business goals, and you accumulate case studies you can confidently bring into future interviews. So, clean up your resume, play to your strengths, and start applying early. Your future self will be very grateful!
About the SIM WILL Award
The SIM Work-Integrated Learning for Life (WILL) Award, a programme under the SIM Impact Fund, recognises students who demonstrate a strong commitment to gaining real-world experience and developing holistically across areas in cognitive (Head), affective (Heart), and psychomotor (Hands) competencies to excel in their future careers. The SIM Impact Fund is a $60 million, 10-year transformative initiative that creates pathways and boosts the employability of learners.